In 2024, the share of coal-based energy used in Bitcoin mining dropped to 20%, a decrease of three times compared to 2011 levels. These figures reflect a growing trend of the industry transitioning toward more eco-friendly solutions.
According to a report by MiCA Crypto Alliance and Nodiens, the share of coal-based energy in Bitcoin mining decreased from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024. This trend highlights the industry’s reduced reliance on non-eco-friendly energy sources.
The report also notes that the use of renewable energy in BTC mining is increasing by an average of 5.8% per year. Analysts predicted a further reduction in the industry’s carbon footprint through “green” initiatives.
The report considers several potential scenarios for Bitcoin’s energy consumption until 2030. In the baseline scenario, with BTC priced at $110,000, the share of renewable energy will range from 59.3% to 74.3%. In the optimistic scenario, with BTC reaching $1 million, the use of clean energy will rise even more significantly.
The decline in coal usage in mining comes amid record global coal consumption. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), coal consumption reached 8.8 billion tons in 2024 and is expected to remain high until 2027. The primary drivers of this growth are India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Moreover, the decreasing dependence of mining on non-renewable energy sources is a strategic step within the implementation of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives, which experts identified as a trend in the Web3 industry in 2025.
CoinsPaid, a global provider of cryptocurrency payment solutions, recently outlined its strategic approach to responsible business. As part of its new ESG policy, the company introduced several initiatives to contribute to the development of a more ethical and reliable financial ecosystem.
“Our ESG policy is the first step of our strategic roadmap meant to gradually integrate sustainability into our core operations while fostering trust among users, employees, partners, and regulators. CoinsPaid is willing to align with ESG standards, proving that responsible crypto payments aren’t just possible — they’re essential for long-term industry growth,” emphasized Violaine Champetier de Ribes, ESG Officer at CoinsPaid.
In 2024, Bitcoin miners in the U.S. spent about $18.65 million daily on electricity. Around 60% of the electricity used for Bitcoin mining came from renewable energy sources as early as 2022.
